Embodiments of a method for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes the following operations. First, a channel hole is formed in a stack structure of a plurality first layers and a plurality of second layers alternatingly arranged over a substrate. A semiconductor channel is formed by filling the channel hole with a channel-forming structure. The plurality of first layers is removed. A plurality of conductor layers is formed from the plurality of second layers. Further, a gate-to-gate dielectric layer is formed between the adjacent conductor layers, the gate-to-gate dielectric layer including at least one sub-layer of silicon oxynitride.

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device including first and second terminals formed on a fin region and a seal layer formed between the first and second terminals. The seal layer includes a silicon carbide material doped with oxygen. The semiconductor device also includes an air gap surrounded by the seal layer, the fin region, and the first and second terminals.

A device includes a fin extending from a semiconductor substrate; a gate stack over the fin; a first spacer on a sidewall of the gate stack; a source/drain region in the fin adjacent the first spacer; an inter-layer dielectric layer (ILD) extending over the gate stack, the first spacer, and the source/drain region, the ILD having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion of the ILD is closer to the gate stack than the first portion of the ILD; a contact plug extending through the ILD and contacting the source/drain region; a second spacer on a sidewall of the contact plug; and an air gap between the first spacer and the second spacer, wherein the first portion of the ILD extends across the air gap and physically contacts the second spacer, wherein the first portion of the ILD seals the air gap.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated circuit (IC) in which cavities separate wires of an interconnect structure. For example, a conductive feature overlies a substrate, and an intermetal dielectric (IMD) layer overlies the conductive feature. A first wire and a second wire neighbor in the IMD layer and respectively have a first sidewall and a second sidewall that face each other while being separated from each other by the IMD layer. Further, the first wire overlies and borders the conductive feature. A first cavity and a second cavity further separate the first and second sidewalls from each other. The first cavity separates the first sidewall from the IMD layer, and the second cavity separates the second sidewall from the IMD layer. The cavities reduce parasitic capacitance between the first and second wires and hence resistance-capacitance (RC) delay that degrades IC performance.

A semiconductor structure includes first and second source/drain (S/D) features, one or more semiconductor channel layers connecting the first and second S/D features, a gate structure engaging the one or more semiconductor channel layers, a metal wiring layer at a backside of the semiconductor structure, an S/D contact electrically connecting the first S/D feature to the metal wiring layer, and a seal layer between the metal wiring layer and the gate structure. The seal layer is spaced away from the gate structure by an air gap therebetween.

A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure a first source/drain region, a second source/drain region, and a gate stack disposed between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region. The semiconductor device structure also includes a conductive feature disposed below the first source/drain region. The semiconductor device structure also includes a power rail disposed below and in contact with the conductive feature. semiconductor device structure also includes a dielectric layer enclosing the conductive feature, wherein an air gap is formed between the dielectric layer and the conductive feature.

A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor fin, a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure, an air spacer, and a gate structure. The semiconductor fin extends upwardly from the substrate. The STI structure laterally surrounds a lower portion of the semiconductor fin. The air spacer is interposed the STI structure and the semiconductor fin. The gate structure extends across the semiconductor fin.

In one example aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method. The method includes receiving a workpiece having a conductive feature over a semiconductor substrate, forming a sacrificial material layer over the conductive feature, removing first portions of the sacrificial material layer to form line trenches and to expose a top surface of the conductive feature in one of the line trenches; forming line features in the line trenches, removing second portions of the sacrificial material layer to form gaps between the line features, and forming dielectric features in the gaps, the dielectric features enclosing an air gap.

The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a substrate. A first conductive feature is over the substrate. A second conductive feature is over the substrate and is adjacent to the first conductive feature. The first and second conductive features are separated by a cavity. A dielectric liner extends from the first conductive feature to the second conductive feature along a bottom of the cavity and further extends along opposing sidewalls of the first and second conductive features. A dielectric cap covers and seals the cavity. The dielectric cap has a top surface that is approximately planar with top surfaces of the first and second conductive features. The first conductive feature and the second conductive feature comprise graphene intercalated with one or more metals.

The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first interconnect wire arranged within an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer and a second interconnect wire arranged within the ILD layer. A dielectric material continuously extends over the first interconnect wire and the ILD layer. The dielectric material is further disposed between sidewalls of the first interconnect wire and one or more air-gaps arranged along opposing sides of the first interconnect wire. A via is disposed over the second interconnect wire and extends through the dielectric material. A second ILD layer is disposed on the dielectric material and surrounds the via.